The Grissim Guides to Manufactured Homes and Land

“An invaluable reference...unquestionably the most detailed and comprehensive guide to manufactured home builders available to potential home buyers.” Bill White, author, Guide to Mobile Homes (a.k.a. manufactured homes), National Consumer Law Center Press

“An essential resource, a wealth of invaluable information...a must for anyone contemplating the purchase of a manufactured home....Grissim doesn’t pull any punches, he tells it the way it is...Potential buyers will be best served by purchasing both books.” St. Petersburg Times (Florida)

“In my 34 years in the manufactured housing industry, I've seen a lot of books about our business, and even wrote one myself. I have never written a review about one until now. This is a great read for people with widely ranging interests...”

“For the first time, a professional researcher and writer has undertaken the huge task of gathering massive amounts of data and writing about the manufacturers. I was stunned at the depth and the accuracy of his book, which makes all the others look amateurish....”

“For persons trying to understand the industry from which they'd like to buy a new home, Grissim gets them close enough to find their own details, yet doesn't pack in minutia that quickly grows out of date.” Steve Hullibarger, author, Developing with Manufactured Homes, MHI Press

“...a soup-to-nuts, definitive buying guide to manufactured homes, a comprehensive work.” Marin Independent Journal

“This is a guide no manufactured homebuyer should be without....John Grissim has performed a fine public service in writing this guide ....[Readers] will gain a lot of good information that will help them make a financially sound purchase.” Carson City Appeal

“Finally, consumers have a detailed map of the manufactured home marketplace....Presents a huge amount of sophisticated information about financing, land-home packages, construction quality, leasehold communities and, above all, negotiating a fair deal....Extensive and up-to-date information about the industry....Grissim’s advice on developing sites is especially welcome....He also hopes a new breed of ‘swindle-proof’ consumers will force [industry] change. With this solid book, they have their tool.”Shelterforce magazine

“....offers detailed information on every aspect of planning for, purchasing and situating a manufactured home.” Sequim Gazette

“...Grissim did an outstanding job of research to publish a book that is jam packed with good material....[He] goes to great lengths to point out the cons in each chapter as well as the good points. You can say it is fair and balanced....There is excellent advice for anyone considering a land-lease arrangement....Grissim spells out how to negotiate a square deal on the price and any financing you might need....If you know someone contemplating a manufactured home in Florida, do them a favor and tell them to invest the small purchase price. They will save money, time, effort and frustration [by] reading this book.”St. Petersburg Times

“From locating a reputable dealer and negotiating a fair price to understanding the pros and cons of the manufactured home...packs in insights on the importance of trustworthy dealers, and guidelines for checking out models, land, and construction loans. Everything you need to buy and build one of these homes is here in one handy place.”Midwest Book Review

“...delves into issues that could save buyers thousands of dollars and many headaches.” Reno Gazette-Journal

“I would like to see every new hire (and a few who have been around for awhile) read this book as a condition of going to work.”Gub Mix, Director, Idaho-Nevada-Utah Manufactured Housing Associations

“As a 20-year-plus industry marketing professional, I know how critical it is that manufactured housing hear the voice of the consumer. John Grissim’s shopping experience not only led to home ownership, but inspired a thoroughly researched consumer guide that I hope the industry welcomes.”Fred Townsend, Principal, Maxxus Consulting, and Merchandiser Magazine columnist

“Highly readable, packed with information, and an absolute must for community owners and managers. We sent copies to all our management and sales staff in our Florida, Arizona and Oregon communities.”Nancy Rickerd, Operations Manager, Jennett Investments, Corona Del Mar, California

“You may or may not agree with John Grissim, but if you make your living in the manufactured housing industry, you need to read this book.”Jeff Wick, President & CEO of Wick Building Systems, Inc. & former Chairman of MHI

Book a great investment

“Without John's book, we would not have known how to conduct our search, nor been aware of some ‘unpleasant’ dealer practices which we were able to avoid because we were forewarned. John even answered some questions we emailed him. We are vastly pleased with the home that we were able to design, have built and installed on our property. Was the book a good investment? Definitely, decidedly, absolutely, entirely! Because of John's book, we were able to buy the right house at the right price and avoid almost all the pitfalls that await the unwary or uninformed. We cannot recommend John's book too highly.” Gary and Linda Zerbst, Lopez Island, Washington

A satisfied customer

“The Complete Buyers Guide to MH and Land will save me 100 times the cover price or more. What a buy!” Gary Birch (soon to be from Sultan, Washington)

Saved me thousands of dollars and countless headaches

“I just moved into my manufactured home after months of planning. This book got me started, then saw me through the adventure with invaluable tips and information. I had no idea what I was in for, and without this book, I easily could have got lost. I learned what to look for in a home and, more importantly, in a dealer. I knew which questions to ask and when. As a result, I found the best dealer, the best deal, and the best home for me. The journey was long and sometimes difficult, but thank goodness I had this guide. It was my personal consultant in a way that no other source could have been. In the end, it saved me several thousand dollars and countless headaches.”John Edmonds, Cloudcroft, New Mexico

The consumer’s “Bible” for anything to do with buying a manufactured home

“As a manufactured home owner who recently began shopping for a move up home, I thought I knew all I needed to know about manufactured homes, until I read John’s book. It’s without a doubt the best book out there. I consider it the consumer’s ‘Bible’ for anything to do with buying a manufactured home. This book will save you thousands of dollars--and a lot of grief--and show you how to avoid the shady dealers and the many pitfalls of the buying process. You’ll be learning from someone who not only had done it, but has taken the time to thoroughly research every aspect.” Joseph Rafalo, Petaluma, California

An invaluable asset

“I am in the Real Estate business in San Diego where the market is strong right now. I found this book to be an invaluable asset in my business because it tells me what the clients are really looking for in a home purchase. I would recommend this book to anyone who is in the business or looking to buy a home to live in. This is a buyers market and any edge over my competitors is truly worth the money that this book cost. Thank you.”Rick Hubert, Lakeside, CA

The best and most authoritative guide

“This is without a doubt the best and most authoritative guide I've found, especially for the first time manufactured home buyer (which I was). It offers a feast of essential information about buying and setting up a manufactured home that I found enormously helpful. Buying a manufactured home without consulting this book first could land the unwary buyer in a the briar patch!”Josiah Thompson Bolinas, California

Book “a gift from an angel”

“I am 23 and a father of two and fresh out of the military, and my wife and I are looking for a place to call home. I ordered your book and when it got here I went from 30 pages a day on any other book to not being able to put this one down till I was through. It was “a gift from an angel.” With both of us having less than perfect credit your book stopped us from jumping into a crocodile pit feet first with dealer financing. You alone helped us decide to save for one more year to get a conventional bank loan that won’t drown us with more debt. You have been an unrecognized saving grace to us and our two daughters. Thank you so very much for your contribution to the first time buyer.” Sincerely, Anthony Barnes & Amber Barnes, Ohio

Extremely pleased and surprised

“I loved this book. I had no idea of the colossal details that go into investing in a manufactured home....I was extremely pleased and surprised at how much fabulous information was in this book. I used it as a workbook and have recommended this book already to friends. Outstanding information!” Tammy Bridenbeck, Biloxi, Mississippi